Pile support



Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES ARTHUR D. MCPHERSON, OF ELMHURST, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF `OllEl-HALF TO PERB i PATENT OFFICE' r. MACALLIsrnR y PILE SUPPORT Application filed January 17, 1927. Serial No. 161,494.

This invention relates to piles such as are used in construction work 'for supporting buildings and the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a pile having bracing elements that may be extended after the pile is in place to increase the load bearing capacity of the pile.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a hollow pile havingbracing elements slidably retained in the walls thereoi2 and adapted to be projected outwardly into engagement with the ground surrounding the pile after the pile has been driven yinto position.

Other and Jfurther important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specification and the accompanying drawings.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pile embodying the principles of my invention, showing the pile in sunken position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line II-II oit' Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view illustrating the method of ejecting the bracing elements.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional View of a modified form of my device.

As shown on the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 indicates a pile, which in the present illustration is formed of concrete, but which may be of any suitable material. Said pile 1 is shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive to be substantially square in cross section, but as shown in Figure A may be octagonal or of any other desired shape. Where the pile is formed ofi concrete, it may b'e suitably reinforced by steel bars 2 and is provided at its lower sharpened end with a metal sheath 3, whereby it may be more easily driven into the soil 4; In accordance with the principles of my invention, the pile 1 is provided with a longitudinal recess 5 extending substantially the length ofx the pile. Said recess 5 is preferably of square cross section, but may be of any other shape, formed either during the moulding of the concrete or it may be cored out.` In tliewalls 6 surrounding the recess 5 there are provided downwardly and` outwardly extending slots 7 staggered the length of the recess 5. Said slots 7 may be provided with a metal sheath 8, which in the case of concrete may` be readily placed in position prior to the pouring of the concrete. In each of said slots 7 there is frictionally retained a plate 9 of substantially the same cross section as the slot and of greater length "than the length of the slot. The outer end of each of said plates 9 is provided with a shoulder 10 adapted to be received in a corresponding recess 11 formed in the outer tace of the pile. The purpose of said shoulders 10 is to prevent the plates from being forced inwardly during the sinking of the pile by reason of the pressure ot the soil against the ends of said plates.

It will be understood that during the driving of the pile said plates 9 are in the position shown in Figures 1 and. 2, with their outer edges flush with the outer face of the pile and their inner ends extending into the recess 5. Said inner ends are provided with recesses 12 which are preferably semicircular in shape for a purpose that will now appear. After the pile is driven or sunk into place a plunger or arbor 13 of substantially the same cross section as the recess 5, is inserted through the top of said recess and driven downwardly. The end of said arbor 13, which is conically tapered as at 141, passes successively into and through the recesses 12 and forces the plates 9 outwardly. Instead of the end 14 of said arbor 13 being of circular cross section, it may be angular or crucitorm in shape. As best shown in Figure 3, the continued downward movement of the arbor 13 results in the displacement of the plates 9 to the eX- treme outward position possible, as illustrated by the plate 15. When in the position illustrated by the plate 15, said plates greatly increase the area of Contact of the pile with the soil, thereby increasing the load bearing capacity of the pile. Furthermore, since the plates extend in all directions from the pile, the anchorage provided is very considerably greater than that provided by the pile itself.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of the construc- 5 tion may be varied through a Wide range Without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted hereon,

otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. I claim as my'inv'ention:

A device of the character described, including a pile having a longitudinal recess in the center thereof, and having slots formed in the Wall of the pile and extend ing therethrough to serve as guides for anchoring plates, anchoring plates, the said plates being insertible in the slots from the outside of the pilebefore the pile is driven, and means on the plates to prevent inward travel of the plates in the slots While the pile is being driven.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

ARTHUR D. MCPHERSON. 

